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Hispanic Heritage Month

Photoessay

By Mikayla Reising

  • Audiences at Houston Public Library’s Central Plaza were entertained by a mariachi group from Patrick Henry Middle School and Sam Houston Math, Science & Technology Center. The performance was part of Houston Public Library’s 1st Annual Houston LibroFest on September 15, a lineup of free events that highlighted Hispanic writers and showcased Latino culture in the community.
  • At a meet and greet, Houston LibroFest guest authors Gwendolyn Zepeda and Claudia Kolker show off their award-winning books, <em>The Immigrant Advantage</em> and <em>Better With You Here.</em>
  • Children from Franklin Elementary’s Ballet Folkl&oacute;rico perform a Norte&ntilde;o dance for LibroFest at Houston’s Central Library Plaza.
  • Images on display at San Antonio Public Library’s Central Library Gallery depict photos and movies posters of Mexican comedian Mario Moreno, also known as film character &ldquo;Cantinflas.&rdquo; In partnership with KLRN-TV and the San Antonio Public Library Foundation, the library is hosting <em>Cantinflas Retro: A Mario Moreno Retrospective</em> from September 15 to November 4, an exhibition with more than 120 images celebrating the life and career of the comedian.
  • Mario Eduardo Moreno Laparade&mdash;the nephew of comedian Mario Moreno &mdash;spoke at San Antonio Public Library’s VIP reception on September 19.
  • A San Ant0nio Public Library promotional poster announces an extension of its popular exhibit <em>Cantinflas Retro: A Mario Moreno Retrospective,</em> which will run beyond Hispanic Heritage Month until November 4. The library invites the public to an open discussion (<em>platica</em>), conducted primarily in Spanish, on the closing day of closing with Moreno’s nephew, Mario Eduardo Moreno Laparade. Light refreshments will be served and the gallery will be open for a final viewing.
  • Models from Loara High School in Anaheim, California, pose in dresses for the Quincea&ntilde;era Fashion Show on September 27, the first ever at the city’s Euclid branch.
  • A promotional poster from Alvin Sherman Public Library in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month as part of its &ldquo;Geek the Library&rdquo; campaign. Launched in September, the public awareness initiative showcases interests of patrons by asking them &ldquo;what they geek.&rdquo;
  • Julie Fuller, young adult librarian at Alvin Sherman Library in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, poses with the papel picado Hispanic folk art teens created at a September 27 program. The adolescents learned how to cut the intricate designs from Nova Southeastern University professor Tennille Shuster.
  • Athena Gamoneda holds <em>Counting Ovejas,</em> a Spanish-language book by Sarah Weeks, at Alvin Sherman Library’s Little Minnows Storytime Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The program, for ages 18&ndash;38 months, featured Spanish songs and readings by youth services librarian Meagan Albright.

(Click any photo to jump into the slideshow)

From mariachi performances to quinceañera fashion shows, libraries around the country found inventive ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place from September 15 to October 15 in recognition of the contributions of people whose ancestors come from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. ¡Viva la diversidad!

Posted Wed, 10/10/2012 - 12:36